By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
JSE-listed chemicals and energy group Sasol has appointed Muriel Dube, a former government climate negotiator, as its new chairperson following the resignation of Sipho Nkosi from the position in November.
Dube has been an independent and non-executive director of the board since 2018. She has also served as chair of the safety, social, and ethics committee and member of the audit and capital investment committees, respectively.
“The Sasol board is pleased to pass the reins of chairman to someone of Muriel’s calibre and is confident she will provide the necessary direction and leadership as the company intensifies its focus on progressing a sustainable future business,” the group said.
“She previously served as the Chief Negotiator for the Government of South Africa in climate change negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and as Director of Atmospheric Protection and Chemicals Management at the Department of Enviromental Affairs and Tourism,” read the statement.
She holds an MSc in Environmental Change and Management from Oxford University, a BA in Human Sciences, and a BA Honours in Politics. She has an extensive background in sustainability, commercial, finance, and leadership roles.
Dube has also served as the government’s chief negotiator in climate change negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and as the director of Atmospheric Protection and Chemicals Management at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
Subsequently, she was the group commercial director at Bidvest Group, an investment banker at Investec plc, and CEO of Nozala Investments.
Currently, she is a non-executive director at the UK Infrastructure Bank.
She held previous non-executive director roles at Vodacom South Africa, Bidvest Group and Enviroserv.
Following the appointment of Dube, the former lead independent director, the board has appointed Dr Martina Flöel as lead independent director, effective from 13 September 2024.
Due to Dube’s appointment as chair of the board, she will step down from her other committee roles.
The board appointed David Eyton, an independent non-executive director, as chairman of the safety, social, and ethics committee and member of the audit and nomination and governance committees.
Due to these appointments, Eyton stood down as a member of the remuneration committee on 14 September 2024.
Katherine Harper, an independent non-executive director, has been appointed to the remuneration committee with effect from 14 September 2024.